Ebooks: Today is “Right to E-Read Day” Across Europe

UPDATE: Two U.S. organizations have issued statements in support of the Right to E-Read campaign.

• ALISE Statement

• ALA Statement

—
The Right to E-Read Day and the The Right to E-Read campaign are being organized by EBLIDA (European Bureau of Library, Information and Documentation Associations).
From the EBLIDA Web Site:

The Right to e-Read is a Europe-wide campaign that aims to raise awareness among the general public, librarians and policy makers about the difficulties currently faced by libraries with regard to access to e-books and digital content. The campaign also raises awareness about the need for change of the copyright framework.
Almost 100 Million Europeans (20% of the population) have used a library in the past 12 months and libraries play a vital role in building literacy skills and providing access to information and reading to build a knowledgeable, informed and connected society.
The fact that many e-books are not accessible through libraries means that this source of information, knowledge and ideas is cut off from families, communities and businesses.
Libraries should be able to lend e-books as they do printed books.

What The Campaign is Asking For

• Libraries to provide library users with the latest e-books as they do printed book!

• Libraries to buy e-books at fair prices and on reasonable terms!

• Authors to receive fair payment for the lending of e-books as they do for printed books by extending Public Lending Right to include the loan of e-books by public libraries!

• All citizens – not just those who can afford it – to benefit from free access to e-books in public libraries!

Right to E-Read Campaign FAQ

Formal Statement

An E-Book Policy For Libraries in Europe: The Right To E-Read by LJ’s infoDOCKET

See Also: EBLIDA Task Force on Ebooks
See Also: EBLIDA’s Ebooks in Library Campaign (2012-2013)

Filed under: Associations and Organizations, Libraries, News, Patrons and Users, Public Libraries